General assembly at &MUN XIV
Director: Kristen Valendo
UNESCO
Topic 1: Repatriation of cultural artifacts from European Museums to their places of origin
Topic 2: Safeguarding of cultural sites in conflict areas
As the preeminent international organization dedicated to promoting peace through traditional “soft power” means emphasizing the role of arts, history, and education, UNESCO seeks to resolve any conflicts that threaten the erosion of diplomacy as a result of cultural disputes between countries. Representing over 194 nations, 12 associate members, and a plethora of non-governmental organizations, UNESCO serves an invaluable role in arbitrating trans-national conflicts by reconciling the increasingly globalized international system with the cultural distinctiveness of each individual nation. As a result, this year’s UNESCO committee will primarily focus on contemporary debates surrounding the repatriation of cultural artifacts to their places of origin and the safeguarding of cultural sites in conflict zones, thus upholding the UN’s stated goals of peace, sustainable development, and human rights.
Specialized Agencies at &MUN XIV
UN Special Commission on the Congo Crisis, 1960
Topic 1 Restoring Constitutional Order
Topic 2 Upholding Human Rights
Representing a period of tremendous political and cultural upheaval in the wake of recent decolonization efforts by European powers across Africa, the Congo Crisis threatens to destabilize the entire region of Central Africa and derail neighboring nations’ paths to independence. Further compounding the issue is the concomitant Cold War, which has seen the US support rebel factions against the reigning USSR-favored regime spearheaded by Patrice Lumumba. As a commission dedicated to arbitrating the crisis on the basis of UN commitments to equality and human rights, it is your job to keep external influences on the periphery and help the newly established nation safely navigate this tumultuous period in the most equitable and sustainable manner possible.
Director: Olivia Brownfield
US National Park Commission
Following in the footsteps of US president Teddy Roosevelt, the natural park conservation committee is dedicated to ensuring protected parks across the world remain dedicated to safeguarding the natural environments of threatened and endangered species alike. With issues like poaching, deforestation, and climate change increasingly threatening these last bastions of ecological purity, it’s up to the UNNPC to work in tandem with NGOs, governments, and scientific institutions to promote policies aimed at curtailing such environmental detractors without compromising local economies contingent on eco-tourism. As the failures of past unilaterally imposed strategies have demonstrated, it is dialogue, cooperation, and transparency that will ensure the world’s largest and most vital ecosystems remain unscathed amid recent environmental crises.
Crisis Committees at &mun XIV
&DOR
Topic 1: Resisting the Empire
Topic 2: Organizing the Rebellion
The age of Rebellion has begun. No longer willing to hide in the shadows as the Galactic Empire dominates the galaxy, the multitude of disparate rebel groups have decided that now is the time to coordinate to try and end the tyranny of Emperor Palpatine. The Rebellion will need all the help it can get, be it financiers, soldiers, pilots or spies in order to take down the behemoth that is the Empire. Additionally, whispers of a special Imperial project, one bigger than anything they have ever done before, have been growing…
Papal Conclave 1088
Topic 1: Preparing for the Crusades
Topic 2: Electing a legitimate Pope amongst division
It is time to elect another Pope. The ongoing Investiture Controversy has resulted in two rival lines of Popes, the Antipope Clement III reigns in Rome while the true Pope, Victor III, has just passed in Montecassino. This has created a vulnerable situation for followers of the true Pope as they must regroup under threat of the Antipope’s followers. Whoever is elected Pope must find a way to reunite the Catholic Church, and perhaps also prepare some extra-European activities…
Wii Sports
Topic 1: Tournament Arc
Topic 2: Arrival of the Playable Characters
Life on Wuhu island has always been enjoyable for the Mii’s. Recently, it has been decided that there will be a great tournament, “Wii Sports,” to determine who will be crowned the greatest Mii of all. The Mii’s must prove their mettle in these sporting events, all the while defending the island against sabotage. Soon, new characters, unlike anyone the Mii’s have ever seen, begin appearing and threatening the Mii way of life. What is the destiny of the Mii’s of Wuhu Island?
Nepal Provisional Government
Topic 1: Gen Z Protests
Topic 2: Establishing a stable government
After the banning of social media, scenes of corruption and privilege amongst politicians, large-scale protests in Nepal. Generation Z has toppled the government of Nepal and established an interim government. This interim government now must tackle the transition to democracy and the building of a new government. With the people behind them, there is great hope, but things can change on a dime.
Hybrid Committees at &mun XIV
ECOWAS, 2023
Topic 1 Attenuating the role of non-governmental organizations (namely, mercenary and terror groups)
Topic 2: Rebuilding regional trust amid “Sahelexit”
As West Africa’s foremost transnational organization dedicated to promoting economic and political integration between its 15 constituent nations, ECOWAS bears the heavy responsibility of guiding one of the world's most tumultuous regions during a period of near unprecedented political upheaval. Recent coups in Niger and Gabon, the growing presence of foreign mercenary groups like the Wagner group and the Africa Corps, and recent secessionist efforts by 3 member nations have only further exacerbated local political and economic crises, and threatens the lives of the over 420 million people within the region. As a result, it is increasingly up to ECOWAS to uphold the goals of self sufficiency and human rights throughout the region and ensure diplomacy triumphs over threats of instability and military aggression.
This committee is double delegation and a UNSC equivalent
Joint Crisis Committees at &mun XIV
Russo - Japanese War: Russia, 1903
Topic 1: Imperial Expansion
Topic 2:Revitalizing the Empire
Japan has threatened Russian claims in Manchuria! Since the Russian claims to Port Arthur and the completion of the Trans-Siberian Railroad, the stage has been set for the Czar to move further into Asia to assert Russian power, but Japan stands in the way of this. There are tensions at home that the Czar needs to relieve, and successful eastern expansion is just the pressure valve needed.
Russo - Japanese War: Japan, 1903
Topic 1: Imperial Expansion
Topic 2: Entering the International Stage
Russian expansion in Manchuria and Siberia has deeply disturbed the Japanese Empire. Still a new player on the international stage, Japan has claims in Korea and the Liaodong Peninsula that have been threatened by recent Russian development of the Trans-Siberian Railroad and its encroaching into Manchuria. Japan is a proud nation, and something must be done to ensure that Japanese territory and honor are not threatened by the Czar. The Japanese sphere of influence must be protected at all costs.
